DATE: Tuesday, September 13, 2022

The Champlain Parkway Project will be conducting drilling and blasting activities to remove hard rock and ledge below the roadway surface. This work will take place along the roadway alignment for the Champlain Parkway east of Briggs Street within the City’s Right-of-Way between Flynn Avenue and Ferguson Avenue (shown in red below). These activities are anticipated to begin at the end of September or early October and continue through mid-November.

*The area is approximate*

ABOUT BLASTING OPERATIONS

What to expect?

Blasting activities will consist of a series of small blasts. These blasts will occur underground and be contained using blasting mats. There will be no visible explosion such as fireballs, flying debris, or major dust clouds. Small rumblings and vibrations in the ground may be felt depending on the proximity to the blast location. The blasts will not be loud and will not cause buildings to shake or rattle. 

What precautions are being taken?

The contractor, the S.D. Ireland Brothers and Kubricky Construction Corporation Joint Venture (SDK), their blasting subcontractor, Capital Rock Drilling & Blasting (Capital Rock), and the pre-blast survey consultant, Tardif Consulting, Inc, are currently documenting structural conditions prior to drilling and blasting. Seismographs are being deployed throughout the project area to record vibrations and ensure vibrations limits are not exceeded. In addition, Tardif Consulting, Inc. is conducting pre-blast surveys for all adjacent properties within 500 feet of the blasting zone.

If you are within the pre-blast survey area, you will have already received an informational door hanger and/or an email from the Champlain Parkway Project Team or a certified letter from Tardif Consulting, Inc. 

What is the blasting procedure?

Prior to blasting, vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic will be temporarily restricted from the blasting area. Audible signals will be used to notify the public of an upcoming blasting event which includes three whistles to indicate a five-minute warning, two whistles to indicate a one-minute warning, and one whistle to indicate the all-clear. The all-clear will be followed by the blasting event. After each blasting event, a blasting specialist will clear the area before allowing vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic to reenter.

These blasting events will be restricted to weekdays, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. 

Who will be conducting the blasting operations?

The contractor, SDK, has hired Capital Rock as its blasting subcontractor. Capital Rock is a company based out of New Hampshire that currently services New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. Capital Rock specializes in drilling and blasting operations with a highly skilled and experienced staff many with over 25 years of drilling and blasting experience. Capital Rock has successfully completed blasting operations in other residential areas including Boston, MA, Manchester, NH, and Burlington, VT as part of the Shelburne Street Roundabout Project. 

ABOUT THE CHAMPLAIN PARKWAY PROJECT

PROJECT LOCATION:

The Champlain Parkway Project spans a 2.8-mile area from the I-189 intersection with US 7 to Lakeside Avenue, and includes upgrades to Lakeside Avenue, and improvements to the section of Pine Street between Lakeside Avenue and Main Street. 

The initial contract includes the construction of the Champlain Parkway from Home Avenue to Lakeside Avenue, upgrades to Lakeside Avenue, and improvements to the section of Pine Street between Lakeside Avenue and Kilburn Street. 

PROJECTED COMPLETION:

Initial Contract 2024

Final Contract 2027

CONTACT US:

For more information about the project please visit the project website champlainparkway.com, contact the project team via the project hotline, 802-496-8956 or by email: [email protected], or sign up to receive project information directly to your email.